Archive for the ‘Ferrari 488 GTB’ Category

The Ferrari 488 Pista Spider has been around since August but only now, at the Paris Motor Show, did it make its European public debut. On this occasion, Ferrari presented a more detailed rundown of the Pista Spider’s bag of secrets and what sets it apart from the older and slower 488 Spider.

Just when we thought that Ferrari settled for the Aperta name for its convertible sports car, Maranello returned to using the old Spider badge. But this is arguably a small issue here, as the Pista Aperta is just as exciting as its coupe sibling, but with extra headroom when the top is removed. The 50th drop-top model built by Ferrari since 1947, the Pista Spider made its global debut in the United States, where convertible sports cars are more popular than everywhere else in the world. Let’s have a closer look at the latest member of the 488 family in the review below.

Ferrari has unveiled its 50th drop-top model in the company’s history, called the Ferrari 488 Pista Spider. Essentially a convertible version of the 488 Pista, the Pista Spider packs all the potency of its coupé counterpart and wraps it up in a mesmerizing road-legal drop-top supercar. Ferrari hasn’t said how much the 488 Pista Spider will cost but expect it to be more expensive than the $350,000 488 Pista.

The Ferrari 488 Pista Piloti Ferrari made its debut last month, but it’s only now that we’re getting a good look at the full range of color schemes the supercar is going to offered with. We already saw what it looks like wearing Ferrari’s traditional Rosso Corsa paint finish. Now, it’s all about seeing what the Pista Piloti looks like in Argento Nurburgring (shade of white,) Nero Daytona (black,) and Blu Tour De France (blue.)

It’s been only three months since the hardcore Ferrari 488 Pista was unveiled at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, and the Maranello-based firm has already created a special edition of the supercar. Designed to celebrate the 488’s success on the race track, it’s called the 488 Pista Piloti Ferrari and made its debut ahead of the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

Inspired by AF Corse’s no. 51 car, with which Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado won the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles, the Pista Piloti Ferrari is available exclusively to customers involved in the company’s motorsport programs. In short, if you’re not racing a race-spec version of the 488, be it a GT3 or a GTE, you can’t buy one. That’s a bit harsh from the Italians, but let’s a have a closer look at what you’re missing if you’re not involved in this program.

Continue reading to learn more about the Ferrari 488 Pista Piloti Ferrari.

Introduced in 2015 as a replacement for the 458 Italia, the Ferrari 488 GTB is already an iconic supercar. It already spawned a topless, Spider version, as well as a replacement for the 458 Speciale, called the 488 Pista. Racing duties go to the 488 GTE and 488 GT3 for the most coveted classes in the FIA-governed championships. Much like its predecessor, it was also used for a custom limited-edition model, called the J50 and built in just ten units to celebrate 50 years since the Italian brand arrived in Japan. Come 2018 and Ferrari rolled off yet another bespoke model. It’s called the SP38, and only one will ever see the light of day.

Developed by company’s One-Off program, the SP38 was designed by the Ferrari Design Center on the chassis and running gear of the 488 GTB. It was unveiled at Ferrari’s Fiorano test track, where it was handed over to one of the company’s most dedicated customers. The new supercar will be on public display for the first time at the 2018 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este before it will find its way in a heated garage. Needless to say, the SP38 is the most intriguing version of the 488 GTB yet, and it will probably become a highly sought-after collectible in a few years.

Pogea Racing has a long history of churning out impressive tuning programs. It’s worked on a handful of models through the years, including the “Seven Sins” Audi A7, the “Centurion 1Plus” Alfa Romeo 4C, and the “Ares” Fiat Abarth 500, to name a few. This time, the Italian tuner is setting its sights on the Ferrari 488 GTB with a program that promises mind-numbing power and performance capabilities. Given its reputation, Pogea Racing should have no problems turning some heads again.

The successor to Ferrari’s much acclaimed, V-8-engined special series, which includes the 360 Challenge Stradale,430 Scuderia, and the 458 Speciale, the 488 Pista is yet another homage to Ferrari’s outstanding heritage in motorsport. Much like its predecessors, the Pista was also developed using knowledge from the company’s involvement in the FIA World Endurance Championship, in which it has won five manufacturers’ titles. Both the race-spec 488 GTE and 488 Challenge served as inspiration for the Pista, also “donating” some of their dynamics and aerodynamic developments. The 488 Pista is described as Ferrari’s most powerful and most advanced special series model so far. Check it out without camo below.

These days, it seems like you can’t turn around without bumping into some new SUV tuned to perform like a sports car. But what if you went the other way around, taking a sports car and adding a dash of off-roading goodness? Or maybe try a gallon of off-roading goodness. Well, that’s exactly what Budget Direct did with the following seven renderings.

Continue reading for the full story.

The Full Story

Rumor has it Ferrari is cooking up an SUV to take on the new Lamborghini Urus, making a clear break from over 70 years of tradition (at least as far as the segment goes, not the whole Lambo challenge thing). But while we’re still waiting for the tall-riding Prancing Horse to arrive, we’ve got this big-and-bad 488 to check out. Draped in Rosso Corsa and sporting an array of LED light bars, this thing is deliciously sacrilegious. And check out the wheels, which appear as through they were plucked from an F40. Splendid.

Believe it or not, but Stuttgart has a good deal of experience mixing it up in the dirt. No, I’m not talking about a Cayenne set in the off-road driving mode – I’m talking about the 911! With a history of competition in rally events across the world, including Group B, the East Africa Safari Rally, and the Dakar, the 911 is actually quite formidable with the right modifications. This thing has exactly that, with a taller suspension, big knobby tires, and uber-tough skid plates, all of which should help it go, well, anywhere! And with 700 horsepower on tap, you can bet it’ll get there mighty quick as well.

Plucked off the golden streets of Monaco or Dubai and set down in the nitty gritty terra firma, you’d have to be crazy to turn a Chiron into an off-roader. The kind of crazy we like. Tear off the bumpers, swap the adaptive suspension with extra wheel travel, and add an enormous winch to the front end. Done deal. Of course, you gotta keep the quad-boosted 8.0-liter W-16 intact, because 1,500 ponies in the dirt just feels right. Don’t worry – the AWD and monster rubber should handle it all just fine.

When it comes to straight-line speed, there are few muscle cars out there as badass as the Demon. With 6.2 liters of blown ‘Merican V-8 under the hood, it certainly has the goods to perform at the drag strip. But what about the rock crawl? Makes sense to us, and we’re sure Dodge has the right parts bin to sift through to make this a thing…

Taking a quick break from the internal combustion, we’ve got this battery-powered two-door on deck to bring the EV heat. While the Roadster 2.0 is still several years out, we’d love it if someone had the chutzpah to turn one into some gravel-churning monster. It’ll do 60 mph in just 1.9 seconds on pavement, but what about off it? Well, with 10,000 Nm of torque, that plus-sized wheel and tire package shouldn’t slow it down too much. And oh yeah – check out the roof-mounted solar panels! Stellar touch.

Jaguar Land Rover has plenty of experience in the world of off-roaders, but we’ve never seen it applied to the first word in that name. Rest assured though, because this thing definitely has experience climbing through the mud and rocks in the Scottish Highlands.

While conquering all challengers on the track is kind of the GT-R’s thing, perhaps it’s time to expand its list of challengers. The AWD system is ready to go, while the turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6 makes lots of momentum. Just flare the fenders, add some steel bumpers, then have at it.

These days, it seems like you can’t turn around without bumping into some new SUV tuned to perform like a sports car. But what if you went the other way around, taking a sports car and adding a dash of off-roading goodness? Or maybe try a gallon of off-roading goodness. Well, that’s exactly what Budget Direct did with the following seven renderings.

Continue reading for the full story.

The Full Story

Rumor has it Ferrari is cooking up an SUV to take on the new Lamborghini Urus, making a clear break from over 70 years of tradition (at least as far as the segment goes, not the whole Lambo challenge thing). But while we’re still waiting for the tall-riding Prancing Horse to arrive, we’ve got this big-and-bad 488 to check out. Draped in Rosso Corsa and sporting an array of LED light bars, this thing is deliciously sacrilegious. And check out the wheels, which appear as through they were plucked from an F40. Splendid.

Believe it or not, but Stuttgart has a good deal of experience mixing it up in the dirt. No, I’m not talking about a Cayenne set in the off-road driving mode – I’m talking about the 911! With a history of competition in rally events across the world, including Group B, the East Africa Safari Rally, and the Dakar, the 911 is actually quite formidable with the right modifications. This thing has exactly that, with a taller suspension, big knobby tires, and uber-tough skid plates, all of which should help it go, well, anywhere! And with 700 horsepower on tap, you can bet it’ll get there mighty quick as well.

Plucked off the golden streets of Monaco or Dubai and set down in the nitty gritty terra firma, you’d have to be crazy to turn a Chiron into an off-roader. The kind of crazy we like. Tear off the bumpers, swap the adaptive suspension with extra wheel travel, and add an enormous winch to the front end. Done deal. Of course, you gotta keep the quad-boosted 8.0-liter W-16 intact, because 1,500 ponies in the dirt just feels right. Don’t worry – the AWD and monster rubber should handle it all just fine.

When it comes to straight-line speed, there are few muscle cars out there as badass as the Demon. With 6.2 liters of blown ‘Merican V-8 under the hood, it certainly has the goods to perform at the drag strip. But what about the rock crawl? Makes sense to us, and we’re sure Dodge has the right parts bin to sift through to make this a thing…

Taking a quick break from the internal combustion, we’ve got this battery-powered two-door on deck to bring the EV heat. While the Roadster 2.0 is still several years out, we’d love it if someone had the chutzpah to turn one into some gravel-churning monster. It’ll do 60 mph in just 1.9 seconds on pavement, but what about off it? Well, with 10,000 Nm of torque, that plus-sized wheel and tire package shouldn’t slow it down too much. And oh yeah – check out the roof-mounted solar panels! Stellar touch.

Jaguar Land Rover has plenty of experience in the world of off-roaders, but we’ve never seen it applied to the first word in that name. Rest assured though, because this thing definitely has experience climbing through the mud and rocks in the Scottish Highlands.

While conquering all challengers on the track is kind of the GT-R’s thing, perhaps it’s time to expand its list of challengers. The AWD system is ready to go, while the turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6 makes lots of momentum. Just flare the fenders, add some steel bumpers, then have at it.

The Ferrari 488 is one helluva supercar, but now, it looks like there’s a go-faster competition variant just about to officially break cover. It’s called the Pista, which is Italian for track, and the specs were just leaked ahead of the full reveal. Read on for the info.

The Full Story

“The Pista once again mounts a twin-turbo 3.9-liter V-8 in the middle, but this time around it was tuned to produce 711 horsepower, besting the standard 488's 661 horsepower by a stout 50 ponies.”

This latest info comes from Autocar Japan, which just posted a series of leaked images and specs on the forthcoming racer. Essentially a more hardcore iteration of Maranello’s bread and butter 488, the 488 Pista gets a slew of updates that make it that much better on the track.

Kicking it off is a retune for the powerplant. The Pista once again finds a twin-turbo 3.9-liter V-8 mounted in the middle of the machine, but this time around, it was tweaked to produce 711 horsepower, besting the standard 488’s 661 horsepower by a stout 50 ponies. Torque is also up, now rated at 568 pound-feet, an increase of about 7 pound-feet over the standard 488.

To make the most of the newfound output, the 488 Pista also drops a few pounds, tipping the scales at a lithe 2,821 pounds (dry weight). By comparison, the standard 488 GTB has a dry weight of 3,020 pounds, which means the weight shaving comes to about 200 pounds total.

The extra power and lower weight make the Pista quicker, cutting two-tenths of a second from the standard 488’s 0-to-62 mph time, bringing it down to 2.8 seconds. Top speed is clocked at 211 mph.

To properly round it out, it’s reported that downforce was increased thanks to the know-how gleaned from Ferrari’s various motorsports programs, while the electronics for the traction control and braking system was got a few tweaks and tunes for better at-the-limit performance.

Pricing lands somewhere around the $300,000 mark, an increase of about $50,000.

“It's a rather impressive package, no doubt about it. But when it comes to bragging rights at the track, Porsche might have something to say about it.”

It’s a rather impressive package, no doubt about it. But when it comes to bragging rights at the track, Porsche might have something to say about it.

In the running against Ferrari will be this – the Porsche 911 GT2 RS. Like the 488 Pista, the 911 GT2 RS is a pumped-up, hardcore, no-nonsense performance machine aimed at killing all lap times.

The specs are surprisingly close compared to those of the Ferrari. Output is rated at 700 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque thanks to a twin-turbo rear-mounted flat-six engine, which drives the rear axle through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Acceleration looks like 2.7 seconds in the 0-to-60 mph test, while top speed comes to 211 mph. The Porsche also gets loads of aero stick and an insanely stout braking package to match, while customers can opt into the Weissach package to drop the weight even further. There’s loads of carbon fiber outside, bucket seats and a roll cage inside, and the whole thing is tagged with a price tag of roughly $300,000.

In case you’ve been inundated with news about Ferrari’s planned SUV and all-electric supercar, there is one other Ferrari model that you also need to pay attention to. I’m talking about the Ferrari 488 GTO, the same “Special Series” version of the 488 that’s rumored to be debuting at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show in March. There have been a lot of rumors being thrown out about the go-faster 488, including whispers that it’s going to pack in excess of 700 horsepower. Well, leaked photos from a recent dealership meeting have revealed a few more details about the upcoming monster, and one of these details point to the car getting “the most powerful V-8 engine in Ferrari history.”

“Tthe aforementioned V-8 engine is going to be an “evolution” of the same V-8 engine that the 488 Challenge has”

The leaked images aren’t crystal clear in quality, so it’s hard to make out exactly what the presentation is pertaining to. You’re going to have to look a lot closer, but if you can make it out, you’ll notice that the aforementioned V-8 engine is going to be an “evolution” of the same V-8 engine that the 488 Challenge has. We know that the Challenge carries the same 3.9-liter turbocharged V-8 engine that the road-going 488 has. But that’s not the important bit. If you remember, the 488 Challenge’s V-8 featured a number of driving components that were revised to help improve its on-track performance capabilities. One of the improvements was a specific engine mapping system that was modified specifically to give the 488 Challenge improved racing performance. The engine also had shorter gear ratios that amounted to an 11.6% increase in acceleration out of turns compared to its predecessor.

“The 488 GTO’s V-8 engine will also be “around 10% lighter than the 488 GTB.””

According to the presentation, the 488 GTO’s V-8 engine will also be “around 10% lighter than the 488 GTB.” The lighter engine coincides with another important aspect of the upcoming supercar. Based on the slides, the 488 GTO will carry “the highest utilization of carbon fiber on any Ferrari range car.” That particular photo reveals a rendering of the 488 GTO with the majority of the front section and parts of the rear section highlighted in blue. Unless our eyes deceive us, the 488 GTO will feature a carbon fiber hood, front and rear bumpers, and rear spoiler.

Carbon fiber will also be used generously in the interior. According to the photos, the dashboard and front tunnel will be made from the lightweight stuff, while the floor panels will be made from aluminum. The car will also feature racing seats and will have no glovebox, presumably to continue the trend of weight savings.

Then there are the wheels. The Ferrari 488 GTO will use 20-inch carbon fiber wheels that are 40% lighter than standard alloy rims. The wheels will then be wrapped in Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires.

All these changes will result in the 488 Challenge being 20% more aerodynamically efficient than the standard 488 GTO. Combine that with what everything we’ve seen and heard, and there really is one conclusion we can come to.

Is Ferrari preparing a more hardcore version of the 488 supercar? That looks to be the case after documents from the California Air Resources Board revealed an unidentified 2018MY Ferrari that carried the name 488 Special Series Coupe. The CARB certification was published on January 2, 2018, after only being finalized two weeks prior. All signs point to this new Ferrari 488 making its debut in the early part of this year, possibly at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

“The number being touted is 700 horsepower, which, together with the expected weight-savings, could make for a more potent version of the 488 that can live up to the Prancing Horse’s GTO legacy.”

There are no details available about the model other than the fact that we’ve heard reports in the past that Ferrari was working on a more powerful version of the 488, reportedly called the 488 GTO. We’ve caught sight of a handful of 488 prototypes undergoing testing as early as 2016. There were even sightings last November of two versions of the car — a red one and a white one — doing some test runs.

We didn’t get a really good look at the two 488 mules, but we did notice the different bumper with the larger outlets and a new black trim that looks to be part of a more advanced aerodynamic package that will be included for weight-saving purposes. The CARB certification does not reveal details on car’s power output. We should at least expect it to produce more than the 660-horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque output of the existing 488 GTB. The number being touted is 700 horsepower, which, together with the expected weight-savings, could make for a more potent version of the 488 that can live up to the Prancing Horse’s GTO legacy.

It is worth mentioning that Ferrari’s 2018 model-year certification of the 488 Special Series Coupe means that the Italian automaker needs to have the model on sale before June. That timetable means that we could see the model make its debut in the coming months, with the most likely venue being the Geneva Motor Show this coming March.

Ferrari has developed a fairly predictable pattern when it comes to releasing mid-engine V-8 models. First, we get the “regular” one, and then the lighter, faster, more powerful road-racer variant follows. So far, the 488 GTB is the only one that hasn’t received this treatment, but we know it’s just around the corner (if we don’t include the track-only GTE and GT3 models, that is). However, recent developments suggest that a higher performance, road-legal model is underway. This souped-up 488 will replace the 458 Speciale, but there’s no official word as to what name it will carry. More recent reports suggest it could be called the GTO, but the Scuderia and Speciale names are still on the table until Ferrari spills the beans.

The still fresh 488 GTB is great in just about any regard. It looks fast and aggressive, it has a race-inspired interior that’s also luxurious, and a twin-turbo V-8 that cranks out a massive amount of power, while still returning decent fuel economy. The upcoming beefed-up version should be not only lighter but more powerful too, in addition to having what it takes to handle a weekend full of racing action at the track. The car is already being tested on public roads, and word has it might arrive with a KERS system in addition to the turbo V-8. It’s definitely something to get excited about since KERS was restricted to Formula One cars and the LaFerrari up until now. Let’s take a closer look at what we already know about it in the speculative review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the future Ferrari 488 GTO.

Exterior

“The front will get a lower, more aggressive carbon-fiber splitter and larger bumper intakes”

As you would expect, it will share much of its running gear and hard-points with the 488 GTB, but almost every body panel will be new. The front will get a lower, more aggressive carbon-fiber splitter and larger bumper intakes. These features can be seen in the latest spy shots that show the front end of car without any camo. The test car also sports blacked-out headlamps for a more menacing look.

Active aerodynamic flaps should also be integrated between the two vertical pillars and feed air through the radiators or around the car through the turning vanes at high speeds. Similar to the 458 Speciale, the front hood will feature a central air extractor bisected by a single fin.

“The rear will get a diffuser with active aero elements and possibly a retractable aero foil”

The side skirts will be exposed carbon-fiber and include fins just in front of the rear wheels. The roof will also be exposed carbon, as will the center sections of the massive scalloped side intakes. But more importantly, the mules spotted so far have larger side intakes, which hint that the engine is more powerful, and thus needs better cooling.

The rear will get a diffuser with active aero elements and possibly a retractable aerofoil like the LaFerrari. The engine hood is completely camouflaged, so it’s safe to assume that this 488 will arrive with significant changes here, like a redesigned cover with new vents.

Interior

Note: Ferrari 488 GTB interior shown.

“With no carpeting, minimal creature comforts and little sound deadening, the 488 GTO will be expectedly spartan and loud on the inside”

With no carpeting, minimal creature comforts and little sound deadening, the 488 GTO will be expectedly spartan and loud on the inside, but comfy enough to drive to and from the track or your favorite stretch of road. Expect a range of custom leather and stitching colors for what little fabric there is.

The drivetrain will be controllable with transmission buttons in the center console, and, as has become Ferrari tradition, just about every other function will be accessed via steering-wheel buttons. The steering wheel will also get shift lights to supplement a tachometer that sits front and center in the instrument cluster, flanked by multi-function high-definition displays.

A flat bottom steering wheel and race-spec seats should round off the track-prepped interior. And should this Ferrari be a hybrid, it will come with additional controls for the KERS system and extra options in the digital instrument cluster.

Drivetrain

Note: Ferrari 488 GTB engine shown.

“This is where prediction are a bit more difficult to make as some rumors point out to a hybrid drivetrain configuration”

This is where prediction are a bit more difficult to make as some rumors point out to a hybrid drivetrain configuration. While logic suggests that a track-focused version of the 488 GTB would use a more powerful version of the standard model’s V-8 engine, more recent information leads us to believe that this car could also feature a KERS system in addition to the twin-turbo, 3.9-liter mill.

While there aren’t any specific hints that the camouflaged prototype employs such as system — the bigger vents and exhaust pipes could be there for the beefed-up V-8 only — an older spy video includes audio footage of a Ferrari engineer telling the test driver to not turn off the KERS system on the car. Unless Ferrari is doing some testing for other future models, the 488 GTO, or whatever name it will have, could become Ferrari’s second hybrid since the range-topping LaFerrari.

“KERS comes straight from Formula One, and its main feat is that it delivers an extra 160 horsepower for a few seconds”

KERS, or kinetic energy recovery system, comes straight from Formula One and its main feat is that it delivers an extra 160 horsepower for a few seconds, which helps race cars perform quick overtakes in straight lines. Such a feature wouldn’t be exactly useful on the road, but it could make the 488 a lot more fun at the track, as well as turn it into a hybrid. Granted, it wouldn’t be a full-fledged hybrid like the Chevrolet Volt or Toyota Prius, but another step toward Ferraris with significant electric range and improved combined fuel economy.

No matter the drivetrain, it’s safe to assume that this special version of the 488 GTB will have more than the standard 660 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque at its disposal. Expect at least 700 horsepower from a beefed-up gasoline V-8 and even in excess of 800 horses with a KERS system. Charging from 0 to 60 mph should take a mind-boggling 2.8 seconds, to go with a top speed of around 210 mph.

Prices

I expect 488 GTO pricing to start somewhere between $320,000 and $340,000. For reference, the standard 488 GTB retails from around $250,000 in the United States.

Competition

Introduced in 2017, the Huracan Performance is a living legend. It’s the most menacing road-legal Lambo built to date and a race car in disguise. Based on the familiar Huracan, the Performante sports an intricate aerodynamic package and a revised chassis for enhanced performance, while a retuned 5.2-liter V-10 engine sends 631 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels. The Performance might also be as quick as the 488 GTO thanks to its 0-to-60 mph sprint of only 2.8 seconds. What’s more, this Lambo is fast on race tracks too, having set a new Nurburgring record for production cars at 6:52.01 minutes. It has pricing on its side too, retailing from $274,390, around $50K less than what the Ferrari 488 GTO is expect to cost.

If you haven’t heard of the McLaren 750LT, it’s most likely because this car doesn’t exist yet. The name is also our own speculation, based on the output this version is likely to have. But as you might have already guessed, it will be a successor to the awesome 675LT and will be based on the brand-new 720S. Much like the Ferrari, it will be a beefed-up, track-prepped version of the standard model. Just like the 675LT, it will have a comprehensive aero kit, a tweaked chassis for improved performance, and a more powerful engine. My guess is that McLaren will increase output from 710 to 740 horsepower, which translates into 750 PS, hence the 750LT name. With such a powerful twin-turbo, 4.0-liter V-8 under the hood, the 750LT should need only 2.7 seconds to hit 60 mph from a standing start, to go with a top speed of nearly 210 mph. This McLaren won’t be cheap though, with a sticker likely to surpass the $375,000 mark. Production will also be limited to 500 unit, which means it will sell out in a few weeks. So have them checkbooks ready!

Conclusion

While all we can do is speculate at this point, I can say with utmost certainty that the 488 GTO will not be powered by a four-cylinder diesel engine, and it will probably be available in red. I feel like there’s some credence in the numbers and theories I’ve presented, but only time will bring anything official. We’re likely to learn a lot more about this car, including its actual name, in the coming months, so stay tuned.

Scuderia or GTO?

“Although I refer to this car as the GTO, this name is far from being official”

Although I refer to this car as the GTO, this name is far from being official. Its predecessor, based on the 458, was called the Speciale, but since Ferrari is known to shuffle these nameplates, and the general consensus was that the 488 GTB would use the Scuderia name for its beefed-up version. But once prototypes began hitting public roads, some rumors claim that this model will be used to bring back the GTO name. The iconic letters were used more recently in 2010, when Ferrari launched the 599 GTO, but the nameplate is actually more famous for the 250 GTO from the 1960s and the 288 GTO from the 1980s. Both cars are among the most iconic vehicles Maranello has ever built and are part of the same lineage of flagship supercars that also include the F40,F50,Enzo, and LaFerrari. Also, the GTO name was used on flagship cars on all three occasions so it would be a big strategy shift to put these iconic letters on the 488. The 812 Superfast is more suited for the “GTO” badge, but it has yet to gain a higher performance upgrade. Its predecessor, the F12berlinetta, got one, but it was named the F12tdf. While the “tdf” badge holds an important place in Ferrari history, it’s pretty clear that the company didn’t find the F12 worthy of the GTO name. All told, we have three different names, and it remains to be seen which will be used for the 488. But needless to say, the Italians won’t go wrong with either of them.

We know that Ferrari is working on a more aggressive version of the 488 GTB — a successor to the iconic 458 Speciale — we haven’t heard much about it until now. We also haven’t seen it testing on public roads or race tracks before, but we can finally take a peek at the upcoming Prancing Horse thanks to a batch of photos that surfaced the Interwebz. Reportedly called the 488 GTO, the beefed-up GTB was taken for a spin in a test session that included two cars. While one wears heavy white camouflage that doesn’t allow us to have a glimpse at its features, the second one was captured without any camo on its front end.

The supercar looks very familiar as it retains all the main features of the 488 GTB. However, it has a different bumper with larger outlets and new black trim that appears to be part of a revised aerodynamic package. The headlamps have been blacked out for a more menacing look. Not much else can be seen in these photos from Motor.es, but expect the front splitter to be backed by a redesigned diffuser and a new spoiler around back. Revised side skirts, new wheels, and a new engine hood are also on the table, alongside numerous weight-saving components inside and out.

The twin-turbo, 3.9-liter V-8 engine from the GTB will find its way into the GTO as well, but not before Ferrari increases output from 660 to around 700 horsepower. The GTO is not yet official, and Ferrari could actually reuse the Speciale or Scuderia names. The “GTO” names were used on only three cars up until now — the 250 GTO,288 GTO, and 599 GTO — all of which were considered flagship models when they arrived. The new supercar could break cover at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show, so make sure you stick around for updates.

Ferrari has developed a fairly predictable pattern when it comes to releasing mid-engine V-8 models. First, we get the “regular” one, and then the lighter, faster, more-powerful road-racer variant follows. So far, the 488 GTB is the only one that hasn’t received this treatment, but we know it’s just around the corner. However, recent developments suggest that the 488 Scuderia — or whatever it will be called because it’s not yet official — might be a bit more special than its successors, especially under the hood.

The still fresh 488 GTB is great in just about any regard. It looks fast and aggressive, it has a race-inspired interior that’s also luxurious, and a twin-turbo V-8 that cranks out a massive amount of power, while still returning decent fuel economy. The upcoming beefed-up version should be not only lighter, but more powerful too, in addition to having what it takes to handle a weekend full of racing action at the track. The car is already being tested on public roads, and word has it it might arrive with a KERS system in addition to the turbo V-8. Definitely something to get excited about since KERS was restricted to Formula One cars and the LaFerrari up until now.

Before any of you start hyperventilating in excitement, there are a few qualifiers to keep note of. The first is that these aren’t the actualspecial edition cars that Ferrari is planning to roll out as part of its 70th anniversary. These bad boys are 1:8 scale models of the real things and they come from Amalgam Collectibles, the maker of exquisite scale models that have graced these pages a handful of times over the years. Remember the 1:8 versions of the Jaguar E-Type that secretly stole the show at the 2016 Paris Motor Show? Yep, it’s the same company that’s bringing us 350 of these special edition Prancing Horse beauties.

The differentiation among these Ferraris come in the form of liveries, which we also first saw in Paris back in September 2016. All those liveries represented various designs that were pulled from Ferrari’s long and illustrious history, including “The Schumacher,” “The Magnum PI,” and “The Prototype.” All told, Ferrari has 70 unique liveries on offer, all of which will be used on five of the automaker’s current models, including the 488 GTB,488 Spider,California T,F12 Berlinetta, and the GTC4 Lusso. Do the math and that adds up to 350 different cars, each having their own mini-me versions courtesy of Amalgam Collection.

Needless to say, the scale models come with unparalleled detail. That much we can expect from the same company that brought us those beautiful E-Type scale models in Paris. That said, they don’t come cheap either as each scale model comes with a price tag of $695. If you can stomach that much damage to your wallets, it might be best to pre-order these scale models now ahead of their initial release in July since each of the 350 unique scale models are one-offs.

It seems like there have been quite a few supercar accidents lately. There was that journalist in the new Acura NSX that supposedly crashed because of a bee, then, more recently, there was that McLaren 650 Spider that crashed in Southern California. And, let’s not forget about the Ferrari 488 GTB that was smashed up thanks to a jay-walking dog. Today, we’re talking about another 488 GTB, and this one has been declared a total loss. News-Gazette out of Champaign Illinois has reported that 18-year-old Lima Shen not only collided with a 2017 Volvo, but also hopped a curb, slid across 100 yards of grass, and ultimately came to a stop when it met the brick wall of a local barber shop.

There isn’t much information available about the accident at this time, but it has been reported that the owner of the barber shop is estimating at least $20,000 in damages while the 18-year-old owner of the GTB has learned an expensive lesson – one that’s set him back at least $245,000. Reports indicate that the driver had purchased the 488 GTB just weeks prior to the accident. Luckily, nobody was injured, but the driver has been cited for reckless driving and improper lane usage – apparently he saw The Fast and the Furious one too many times – and will be suffering from a bruised ego for quite some time.

You can really chalk this one off to another rich entitled kid who thought he was the man and failed miserably. Obviously, he had no business driving a vehicle with a 4.0-liter V-8 that has 659 horsepower and 560 pound-feet of torque. There’s no word on how fast the GTB was traveling when the accident occurred, but with the ability to hit 60 mph in around three seconds and a top speed of 205 mph, you can bet he was traveling well above the posted speed limit. After all, he did slide the length of a football field before smashing into that barbershop. Hopefully, Junior’s rich parents will think twice before buying their irresponsible child anything more powerful than a Toyota Camry.

Unveiled in 2015, the Ferrari 488 GTB replaced the successful and still very potent 458 Italia in the lineup. Although the new sports car isn’t radically different than its predecessor, it created a small revolution in Maranello’s lineage of entry-level supercars by introducing the turbocharged engine. Arguably the most important upgrade, the force-fed, 3.9-liter V-8, replaced the iconic, naturally aspirated 4.5-liter V-12. Like its predecessor, the 488 received a convertible version (Spider), as well as two racing variants for international motorsport series, GTE and GT3. For 2017, the 488 also replaced the 458 Challenge in the company’s one-make racing series.

Unveiled at the Ferrari World Finals event in Daytona in December 2016, the 488 Challenge is the sixth model to participate in the one-make series. Set to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2017, the Ferrari Challenge was established in 1992 and has so far, used Challenge-spec versions of the 348,F355,360,F430, and 458. Having hosted over 1,000 races, with over 1,000 drivers taking part in up to three series organised on three continents, the Ferrari Challenge series has proved to be an ideal starting point for drivers looking to compete in international GT and prototype championships. Needless to say, it’s not surprising that Ferrari was so quick to replace the 458 Italia with the faster and more aerodynamic 488 GTB in the one-make racing series.

The new Ferrari 488 Challenge will make its North American track debut in January 2017 at the Daytona International Speedway. The Ferrari Challenge North America season will also include races at Sonoma Raceway, Circuit of the Americas, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Lime Rock Park, and Homestead-Miami Speedway.

Although Enzo Ferrari founded the company in 1939 as Auto Avio Construzioni, Ferrari wasn’t recognized as a full-fledged automaker until 1947. Maranello is getting ready to celebrate its 70th anniversary next year and the celebration began at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, where the Italian brand announced the introduction of 70 special liveries that pay tribute to iconic Ferraris from the past.

Five models were selected for the livery feast: the F12beriletta,488 GTB,488 Spider,GTC4Lusso, and California T. Each sports car is available with any of the 70 liveries, but there’s a catch. Ferrari will only build one of each model in that livery, meaning there’s won’t be two identical cars with the same paint scheme. For instance, once someone orders a F12berlinetta in livery, that same livery won’t be offered on the same car again. However, it will be available on any of the remaining models (as long as they haven’t been ordered already, that is!).

As a result, Ferrari will build only 350 cars with the special, 70th anniversary liveries.

The remaining 66 liveries also include several iconic paint schemes from the company’s past. There’s a red, No. 56 livery paying tribute to the first Ferrari race car from 1947, a red paint with yellow and blue accents on the nose based on Juan Manuel Fangio’s F1 car, as well as liveries inspired by the many Ferraris raced at Le Mans in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Ferrari offers Can-Am- and Sunoco-inspired liveries, as well as paint schemes based on car built for celebrities back in the day.

Each livery comes with its very own name, and some of them are quite interesting. Customers can order “The Heartthrob,” “The Patriarch,” “Gran Turismo Perfection,” “The Lucybelle”, “California Dreaming,” “The Lauda,” “The Wedding Gift,” or “The Pro.”

There’s no word on pricing, but expect these models to be significantly more expensive than their standard counterparts since they will be unique. Also expect them to sell out quickly, as Ferrari has already received inquiries about matching sets of five cars in one livery.